Deb started to cry. Hal’s email was so kind, and Deb’s emotional battery was pretty low right at that moment. She put her phone back on the carpet and wrapped her arms around her knees, feeling her body shake with sobs. Sometimes, it was the times when people were the kindest to you that made you the saddest.
When the tears had ebbed away, she went to check on her bath and turned off the taps. She finished the sandwich, grateful for having some food in her stomach: food always made her feel better, more grounded. After undressing and balancing the cup of tea in her hand, she eased into the water and closed her eyes, letting the warmth calm her.
I have asked Anna to send something over to you.
After she’d luxuriated in the deep bath for a good while and the water was starting to go cold – she considered letting some of it out so that she could top it up with more hot water, then decided that would be frivolous – Deb opened her eyes, remembering Hal’s final line in the email and the fact that she had brought a number of packages in from the porch when she’d got in. Was one of them from Hal?
She got out of the bath and pulled out the plug, standing on the mat and visualising all her stress from the past couple of days spiralling down the plug hole. Then, she wrapped herself in a fluffy robe and padded to the hallway to look at the packages.
Some were definitely books, addressed to Gretchen. But there was one large box which was addressed to her, without any postage. Someone had hand-delivered it:it must be from Anna at the castle,she thought.
She carried it to the kitchen table and slit the tape open carefully with a knife. Inside, there was a handwritten note on a thick piece of cream paper with the Cameron clan crest embossed at the top.
Dear Deb
Hal asked me to send you this. If you’re not sure what it is, it’s a shawl in the Cameron tartan that belonged to his mother (just in case you thought it was a small blanket or something). There’s also a brooch here that also belonged to the late Lady Cameron which I put in a black box. The shawl has been dry-cleaned a while back and kept in a cedar blanket box, so it should be fine. As you probably know, the brooch is to fasten the shawl – you’ll have your own way of wearing it.
He asked me to tell you that the brooch is gold with a Citrine stone, and that it now belongs to you, as a daughter of Loch Cameron. Lady Cameron used to wear it a lot, so I know that it’s a very sincere gift on his part.
All the best,
Anna
‘What?’ Deb breathed, as she put the note to one side and reached into the box, pushing aside the white tissue paper that lay under the note and drawing out a large, square woollen shawl. The tartan was red with a thin yellow line and a black woven check design, and, as Anna’s note had indicated, smeltpleasantly of cedar. She held the shawl against her, not quite believing that Hal had sent her this.
Deb reached into the box again and drew out a small black jewellery box, just as Anna’s note had promised. Opening it, she gasped as she discovered a beautiful, circular gold brooch featuring celtic knotwork and with a large golden-yellow stone in the centre. It was a stunning piece of jewellery and Deb turned it over in her hands, holding it up to the light. Was it really gold? Surely Hal wouldn’t give her a family heirloom that was so valuable? But Anna’s note said that it was, and she had no reason to lie.
It now belongs to you, as a daughter of Loch Cameron.Deb blinked, unable to contain her surprise. Hal’s email had said that he wanted to talk, and to be able to make amends for what had happened to Grandma Elise. This wasn’t quite what she had expected, but it was a lovely gesture.
Deb hadn’t expected anything, really. It was more about an acknowledgement of what Grandma Elise had been through. She wanted her grandmother to matter. To be remembered, and for her story to be heard. It seemed as though Hal was taking this seriously, and Deb was grateful for that.
She wrapped the shawl around her shoulders, and fastened it with the brooch. It was warm and voluminous, and Deb could imagine how nice it would be to wear on a cold evening, walking in the castle grounds. She wondered what the late Lady Cameron had been like, and where she had worn the shawl.
It was a thoughtful and lovely gift, and Deb was touched by its significance. In response to her tale of her family’s loss, Hal Cameron had given her something that was dear to him, and that belonged to his family. Deb thought of his words again: a daughter of Loch Cameron.
You belong here, your heart belongs here and your grandmother belonged here, and it was wrong and terrible that she was ever ripped away from her home.
She re-read the email, and closed her eyes.Grandma Elise, this is for you,she thought.
TWENTY-FIVE
‘Lookin’ fer anythin’ in particular?’ The young woman made her way over to Deb as she stood in the middle of the shop, looking around her. ‘I dinnae think we’ve met. I’m Fiona.’ She held out her hand, and Deb shook it.
‘Hi. Deb Sutherland.’
‘I’ve seen ye around recently. Holiday?’ Fiona enquired.
‘No. Work.’ Deb explained about the party, briefly. ‘I’m staying at the Ross cottage,’ she added, having learnt by now that this was what the locals called her little place on Queen’s Point. She’d already started thinking about it ashercottage: she’d miss it when she had to leave. Somehow, the thought of leaving Loch Cameron made her feel sad, even though she’d always known that she was only here for a few weeks.
‘Ah, it’s lovely up there.’ Fiona nodded. ‘Ah miss Gretchen, though. She’s a character. Ah actually have tae visit her up at the home, because she wants a new outfit fer the party an’ I said I’d take up some suggestions.’
‘Oh, I’m sure she’d love that,’ Deb agreed. ‘I love Gretchen. She’s had quite the life, too, from the sounds of things.’
‘Och, aye,’ Fiona laughed. ‘She’s got tales tae tell. So, what can I help ye with today? Havin’ a sale on thermal undies. Ye can never have too many layers, even in the spring.’
‘Ha. No, I think I’m all right for those. I’m after a dress for the party, as well, actually.’
Deb felt like she could think about fripperies like dresses, now that she knew her mum was on the mend. She’d be back and forth to check on Janice and Deb was hugely relieved that she’d agreed to having a carer who would pop in twice a day to keep an eye on her once she got home.
